Xiao Man sat by the window, reading a medical book. The weather was growing increasingly hot, even the wind felt scorching, causing discomfort when it blew against one's skin.
"Do you plan to stay here long?" Dongfang Wei appeared as if out of nowhere.
Xiao Man glanced at him. "This is the Chu King's estate. Don't show your face unnecessarily, lest you expose my identity. Be careful or I'll get angry with you."
Dongfang Wei cautiously concealed himself in the shadows. "You don't intend to stay here permanently, do you? You've even cultivated a medicinal garden."
"My identity in the Chu King's estate is that of a physician. It's simply illogical for a physician not to have a medicinal garden," Xiao Man flipped a page of her book and continued, "Any news?"
"Nangong Yu has deployed the forces of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion and is pursuing Murong Shengrui relentlessly. Murong Shengrui has already retreated three hundred li." Dongfang Wei seemed puzzled. "Why do you want to kill Murong Shengrui?"
"Have you tried to get information from A'luo?" Xiao Man asked casually.
Dongfang Wei's face showed embarrassment. "No, I just asked casually."
"Did you find anything out?"
"If I had found anything out, would I still be asking you?" Dongfang Wei was clearly frustrated. Dugu Luo, though not sharp-witted, was stubborn. When it came to matters concerning Xiao Man, she would only shake her head. No matter how he tempted her with delicious food, she would eat it but utter not a single extra word.
"Some secrets are only meant to be told to the dead." Xiao Man looked up at Dongfang Wei. "Do you... still want to listen?"
Outright threat!
Dongfang Wei desperately wanted to know Xiao Man's secrets, but his life was more important. As long as he stayed by Xiao Man's side, he would eventually learn her secrets!
"No need, I've suddenly lost my curiosity." Dongfang Wei flashed and disappeared.
A playful smile curved Xiao Man's lips. Dongfang Wei was far too immature compared to his father. If it were Dongfang Xu, he would have remained impassive and devised ways to gather useful information from others, thereby deducing the secrets he desired. Dongfang Wei lacked that finesse.
Xiao Man was currently concerned about the people in the General's estate. His Majesty had used her father's poisoning as a warning to the hidden poisoner to cease their actions, and simultaneously, to observe who had grown ambitious and coveted his position.
Among the several potential heirs, the Crown Prince was in the capital, deeply entrenched, and the designated successor. With the Empress presiding over the inner palace and the Duke's estate providing strategic advice, the Crown Prince's position was unshakeable, especially before the Jiang Prefecture incident. Even now, the Crown Prince was merely placed under house arrest, his foundation undisturbed.
However, the Jiang Prefecture incident had planted a seed of doubt in the Emperor's mind. On the surface, the Emperor favored the Crown Prince, merely imposing house arrest. In reality, this caused dissatisfaction among court officials towards the Crown Prince. While it couldn't shake his foundation, it did create a rift between the Emperor and the Crown Prince.
Prince Qi was the youngest among the princes. He had grown up in the capital and, with the Jin family managing the Ministry of Revenue, enjoyed the Emperor's trust. Prince Qi, though seemingly unreliable, had considerable support. Furthermore, over the years, the Jin family had bribed many officials to support the Thirteenth Prince, including several generals. With Consort De plotting for him in the palace, the Thirteenth Prince was perhaps the most carefree among the princes.
As for Prince Qin and Prince Chu, their backgrounds were quite similar. Prince Chu's mother was a noble Consort who once held the Emperor's favor. However, in the inner palace, singular favor was not always a good thing. Thus, the Consort died in her prime, and Prince Chu, having been poisoned, remained frail and sought refuge in the south to avoid peril, thus managing to grow up safely.
Prince Qin, on the other hand, marched into battle, achieved remarkable military successes, and thus held military power in his hands, preventing him from being at the mercy of others. He was the only prince who could rival the Crown Prince.
Xiao Man picked up a chess jar and placed a piece. Within the General's estate, the only individuals who left her puzzled were the Fourth Concubine and the Old Madam. There had always been someone behind the Old Madam, yet she couldn't find the slightest clue about this person. If it hadn't been for her drastic move to have her father send the Old Madam to Jiang Prefecture, the General's estate would still be firmly controlled by the Old Madam.
And the Fourth Concubine. The Fourth Concubine was undoubtedly an inside agent planted by the imperial family in the General's estate. On the surface, she was a concubine bestowed upon her father by the Emperor. In reality, the Fourth Concubine had replaced the original dancer from the Xianle Pavilion to enter the General's estate. This meant this person was not the Emperor's subordinate. So, whose subordinate was she?
And the National Master's estate! Xiao Man hesitated to place her chess piece. She still couldn't quite decipher Feng Tianlan's role in this grand game. However, it was certain that Feng Tianlan was not a pawn, but a player. So, who was his opponent?
He had taken both Dugu Man and her as disciples, stirred chaos in the Yunqi court, and poured his efforts into cultivating her. Was he trying to mold her into another Dugu Man to disrupt the Sheng Chao regime?
No, that's not right. She was the eldest legitimate daughter of the General's estate, the apple of Xiao Zhen's eye. The Emperor was aging, the Empress was in her prime, and the Crown Prince already had a main consort. To use her to disrupt the court, he would first need her to control the inner palace. But she could never enter the palace. What exactly did Feng Tianlan want to achieve? Was the General's estate clear about his objectives?
Xiao Man slowly placed her chess piece. Feng Tianlan was the variable in this game. She had feigned severe injury and fled, concealing herself behind the scenes. Feng Tianlan had also disappeared from public view. Where was he now?
"Sir, why are you playing chess alone?" A voice interrupted Xiao Man's contemplation. Xiao Man looked up, realizing that Prince Chu was standing before her.
Xiao Man rose and bowed. "Your Highness."
"I knocked, but sir was too engrossed in your game to hear," Nangong Yan said, sitting opposite Xiao Man. He glanced at the chessboard. "Would sir care for a game?"
"Your Highness, please." Xiao Man sat down.
Nangong Yan picked up the black pieces and, after a moment's thought, placed one. "Does sir often play chess alone?"
"I prefer solitude," Xiao Man replied, placing her piece.
"As the saying goes, one's greatest enemy is oneself." Nangong Yan steadily moved his pieces. "Has sir ever defeated yourself?"
"I am ashamed to say, never," Xiao Man's tone was steady, her composure so natural that no flaw could be detected.
Nangong Yan raised an eyebrow and looked at Xiao Man. "Sir's surname is Xiao. Are you familiar with the Xiao family of the empire?"
"The Protector General's estate?" Xiao Man asked as she placed another piece. "Naturally, I am. I have heard of the reputation of the Great General and the Young General."
"Now that the Great General has fallen ill, what is sir's opinion?" Nangong Yan desired military authority. His strategists believed this was a golden opportunity. However, based on his understanding of Xiao Zhen, who appeared reckless but was actually meticulously cunning, how could he suddenly fall ill? He sensed something strange about this matter.
Xiao Man twirled a chess piece and slowly placed it. "Your Highness desires military power."
Nangong Yan smiled. "You understand me, sir. I beg for your guidance."